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Puerto Rico police reform left without supervisor

The Associated Press

Updated:
02/22/2014 12:28:02 PM EST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Officials in Puerto Rico are looking to replace a U.S. marshal who stepped down after being appointed to oversee a federally mandated reform of the U.S. territory's police department.

Justice Secretary Cesar Miranda says that in a surprise move Juan Mattos Jr. stepped down for personal reasons. Miranda said late Friday that he is working with U.S. Justice Department officials to quickly find a replacement.

Puerto Rico has been given 10 years to transform its police department after federal officials issued a scathing report in 2011 that accused officers of illegal killings, corruptions and civil rights violations.

The island has the second-largest force in the U.S. with more than 17,000 officers.